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Sunrise

Sunrise at Thien Hau Pagoda

Start your day before the heat sets in. This plan centers on the quiet beauty of Thien Hau Pagoda as the sun rises, followed by a well-earned coffee.

Best time: sunriseAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 05:55

    Thien Hau Pagoda

    Arrive at Thien Hau Pagoda twenty minutes before sunrise. The courtyard is still and cool. Take a moment to look up at the gorgeous sculptures in the walls, a legacy of the Cantonese immigrants who built it. The light is just beginning to change, casting long shadows over the traditional architecture.

  2. 06:15

    Thien Hau Pagoda

    Watch the sunrise. The sun emerges toward the WSW, illuminating the pagoda's intricate details. It is a peaceful moment before the city fully wakes up.

  3. 07:00

    Trung Nguyen

    Walk sixteen minutes to Trung Nguyen. It is the Vietnamese version of Starbucks but with much better coffee. Grab a basic cup to go or sit and recover from the early start. The energy here is distinctively local.

Local tip

The pagoda is free to enter. Arriving before the sun is up helps you avoid the midday heat and the crowds that gather later.

Check before you go

  • Check the route from Thien Hau Pagoda to Trung Nguyen. Walking is recommended as it is a short sixteen-minute stroll.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Ho Chi Minh City (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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